JJ Watt announces NFL retirement

JJ Watt is hanging up his boots. On Tuesday (27), the Arizona Cardinals defensive end announced that he is retiring from the NFL, via a post on Twitter.

“Koa’s (defensive end’s daughter) first NFL game, last home game of my career,” wrote the star, posing in photos alongside his daughter and wife, Chicago Red Stars forward Kealia. “My heart is filled with nothing less than love and gratitude. It has been an absolute honor and pleasure.”

Koa’s first ever NFL game.
My last ever NFL home game.

My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.

🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/wXbDUcHM8B

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 27, 2022

A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt is a future Hall of Famer. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2011 Draft by the Houston Texans. There, he played until the end of the 2020 season, when he announced his move to Arizona.

In Texas, he played 128 games, including eight for the playoffs, adding 21 more for the Cardinals, one of them for the postseason, in last year’s Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams. In all, there are 149 starters on the field, 111.5 sacks, 580 tackles, 191 tackles for loss of yardage, 313 QB hits, one safety, and two interceptions.

When it comes to awards, the list is also extensive. He was three times named AP Defensive Player of the Year (2013, 2015 and 2016), once Walter Payton Man of the Year (2018), 2017 Sportsman of the Year, five times selected to the Pro Bowl (2012 to 2015 and 2018) and six times to the All-Pro team (2012 to 2015 and 2018).

None of Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, or Nick Foles is a solution for the Colts.

The Red-Hot Nets attribute their success to staying focused on basketball.

Results, highlights, and analysis from Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa.

Chargers defense shuts out Colts in a perfect performance as they go farther into the playoffs.

Pirates sign veteran pitcher Rich Hill to a one-year deal

Four Flashes make the MAC First Team, and nine players are named All-Conference.

Marquez Cooper, Marcellus Marshall, Devontez Walker, and Dante Cephas were all named to the first team for the conference.

Cephas received his second selection to the first team of the conference in as many years. In MAC play, his figure increased to 97.8 yards per game, placing him second in the MAC with 82.7 yards per game. Cephas was one of three MAC receivers with an average of more over 15 yards per grab, along with teammate Devontez Walker. In the victory over Ohio this season, he set a Kent State record with a 246-yard performance (on 13 receptions).

Cooper receives his first all-conference mention after compiling 1,331 yards to finish second in the MAC and 14th in the FBS, marking the sixth season with 1,300+ yards in program history. For the Flashes, Cooper’s 13 running touchdowns are among the top 10 for any season. Cooper recorded the sixth 240+ yard game in program history in the win against Ohio, and he averaged over 130 yards per game (132.7) in conference games. He and Cephas established themselves as the first duo in FBS history to have over 240 yards apiece in the same contest.

Assuming the starting offensive tackle position, Marcellus Marshall achieved first-honors for his performance. Marshall started each of the 12 games, and the offensive line helped create the best rushing attack in the MAC, averaging more than 200 yards per game and more than 2,400 yards total. The Flashes were also one of three teams in the MAC to average 400 yards of offense per game and one of two to surpass 5,000 total offense yards this season.

Walker, who this season took on a starting position, receives his first all-conference honor. With 11 touchdown catches, he established a new school record and had one of the best seasons in the MAC. That score ranked sixth in the FBS and tied for first in the MAC. His 921 yards ranked third all-time in program history and led the league. In terms of catches (58) and yards per catch, he also came in first (15.9).

Sam Allan, Nico Bolden, and Ja’Shaun Poke were named to the second team of the conference.

Allan, who started all 12 games at center for the Golden Flashes, ends his career with his first all-conference recognition. Like Marshall, Allan contributed to the offensive line’s stability and helped the unit record its fourth season of 5,000+ offensive yardage.

With 103 tackles this season, Bolden achieved a career best and was named to the all-conference team for the first time. His five games with 10+ tackles, including his final three games of the season, marked the end of his Kent State career. His 64 solo tackles were second in the MAC and was first on the squad.

Poke’s talent as a returner won him a spot on the second team. With only 15 returns, he finished sixth in overall return yardage but topped the MAC with a kickoff return average of 29.4. Poke contributed to the passing game as well, ranking third on the team in throwing yards with 362 for the year.

Zayin West and Collin Schlee were named to the third team of the league. In his first 11 games as the starting quarterback, Schlee completed 2,109 passes for 2,109 yards. His 138.0 quarterback rating, which was third-best in the MAC, was aided by the second-best MAC touchdown-to-interception ratio of 13 to 5. Schlee improved the club’s running game by contributing 492 yards, four touchdowns, and more than five yards per carry to his second-place result on the team.

In his last season, Zayin West had an all-conference campaign. With a team and career high of 11.5 tackles for loss, West placed top-10 in the MAC. That number includes 4.5 sacks, which ranks second on the team. With two sacks and three tackles for loss in the triumph, he contributed to securing the Wagon Wheel for the fourth consecutive season. West was also an important player for the Flashes’ special teams, converting a fake punt against Georgia by catching a pass, and returning a kick against Ball State for 21 yards.

The four first-team members and nine all-conference selections are Kent State’s highest totals since 1997 and 2012, respectively.

The best Fantasy Football 2022 additions for Week 13

Aaron Judge must sign somewhere. See a good analysis here

Aaron Rodgers provides a terrifying update on his rib injury.

The 76ers defeated the Hawks thanks to Joel Embiid’s decisive performance.

Rodgers & Love and their Financial Futures

After the final group games, Qatar World Cup last-16 fixtures have been confirmed ahead of England vs. Senegal.

England is one of 16 teams to advance from their groups as the World Cup enters its final rounds. Tomorrow (Saturday), the round of 16 begins, with the winners of Group A facing the losers of Group B.

The Netherlands advanced without incident as Cody Gakpo continues to impress in his maiden World Cup, leading the competition in scoring. England will play Senegal on Sunday, joining the Netherlands and the United States in the next round.

Lionel Messi was influential for Argentina once again, as they prepare to face Australia, who qualified with France from Group D. At one point on Thursday night, Spain and Germany were both on their way out of the tournament, but it was the Germans who suffered another disappointing performance at a major tournament and joined Belgium in exiting the competition.

The World Cup will now be divided into two paths to the final, with countries prepared for knockout competition. Here is a schedule for the World Cup once all of the group stage matches have been completed:

The Netherlands won Group A with seven points from three matches and will face the United States, who placed second to England in Group B. Gakpo is the primary guy for Louis van Gaal’s team at the moment, although Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Yunus Musah, and Weston McKennie are also dangers for the USA.

Lionel Messi will be trying to lead his country into the quarter-finals with a win over Australia, as the winners of the above two games will meet in the quarter-finals.

France vs. Poland and England against. Senegal on Sunday, December 4

The opposite half of the World Cup knockout bracket begins on Sunday, with France facing Poland, who finished second in Group C behind Argentina. England will try to advance to the quarter-finals with a win over Senegal, perhaps setting up a meeting with the current World Cup champions if France defeats Poland.

Monday, December 5: Japan vs. Croatia, and Brazil vs. South Korea.

Japan, who qualified out of Group E ahead of Costa Rica and Germany on the final matchday of the group stages, will face Croatia who saw out a 0-0 draw against Belgium to knock Roberto Martinez’s side out of the competition in shocking fashion. Brazil, the tournament favorites, rotated significantly for their last group stage encounter, which they lost 1-0 to Cameroon.

Neymar remains an injury worry for the remainder of the tournament, and South Korea will be a severe test after defeating Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the round of 16, qualifying ahead of both Uruguay and Ghana on goals scored.

Morocco against. Spain & Portugal vs. Switzerland on Tuesday, December 6

The last round of 16 matches get off on Tuesday, with Morocco taking on Spain and Portugal taking on Switzerland. The Swiss defeated Serbia 3-2 on the penultimate day of the group stages to secure their spot in the round of 16, while Morocco demonstrated their ability to trigger an upset by defeating Belgium in their group.

The best Fantasy Football 2022 additions for Week 13

Aaron Judge must sign somewhere. See a good analysis here

Aaron Rodgers provides a terrifying update on his rib injury.

The 76ers defeated the Hawks thanks to Joel Embiid’s decisive performance.

Rodgers & Love and their Financial Futures